Fast Facts is a weekly email program where we provide our readers with relevant and practical resources to contend for the faith (Jude 3) and to be ready with an answer (1 Peter 3:15). We trust that these quick and helpful tools will give you greater confidence in sharing the truth of Jesus Christ.

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This Week’s Fast Facts

Fast Facts on the Question, “Is Hell Consistent with a God of Love?”

The Bible clearly teaches the reality of Hell. It is a place of eternal, conscious punishment and absolute separation from God (Luke 16:19-31; Matthew 25:41-46; Revelation 20:10-15).

God doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4). In fact, the message of the Gospel is that God, in his great love, has freely provided a way for all of humanity to be rescued from Hell (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 6:23).

Jesus Christ saw no inconsistency in the reality of Hell. As God incarnate, and the perfect display of love to the world (1 John 4:9-10), Jesus repeatedly and consistently warned people about the existence of Hell.

While some question the fairness of Hell, or its consistency with God’s love, we must remember, what we think about Hell as finite human beings is irrelevant. The only thing that matters is what is true. And the infinite and eternal God has clearly warned us of the reality of Hell.

Many have wondered, “How bad is Hell?” Hell is so bad that it cost the Son of God his very life to keep you from going there. And he gave his life willingly because he loves you!

For more on the reality of Hell, please check out the Apologetics Study Bible for Students available in our online store.

This Week’s Fast Facts

Fast Facts on Advent Apologetics – December 25th as the Date of Christmas

There is no historical evidence that Jesus was born on December 25th. However, while this date is improbable it is not impossible. A springtime date, though, better fits the gospel accounts of the birth of Christ. So, where does the December 25th date for Christmas come from?

Historical evidence shows Christians observing December 25th as the date of Christ’s birth as early as the 200’s A.D. However, the first official Christmas celebration occurred on December 25, 336 A.D. after Roman Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity.

The most likely reason the early Church chose December 25th as the date to celebrate Christ’s birth was simply because of the metaphorical significance of the winter solstice to the arrival of the Messiah (i.e. the idea of light, new life, etc.).

It is also possible the Church chose December 25th as a rival to certain pagan religious practices in the Roman Empire that were centered on the winter solstice and the “birth” of their sun gods (Saturnalia, Mithra, Sol Invictus, etc.).

Some Christians become concerned when considering the possibility that our December 25th celebration of Christmas might have any association with pagan religious practices, even if as a rival.

However, while it is right to be concerned as Christians about syncretism with non-Christian religious practices, we must also remember that the Church has historically viewed the reshaping of culture as a positive endeavor.

When it comes to our celebration of Christmas on December 25th, like Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.), we can affirm that, “We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of Him who made it.”

Give the gift of apologetics this Christmas! We’ve got some great resources, like the book, Apologetics For A New Generation, available in our online store.